War Q&A

Posted: Monday, March 31, 2003

Question: How much does an Army private make? A lieutenant?

Answer: Army and Marine privates, Navy seaman recruits or Air Force airmen basic make a base salary of between $12,776 and $16,282 per year, depending on length of service and rank. The lowest-ranking lieutenants earn $26,204.

In addition to the base salaries, servicemen can earn extra for combat pay and allowances such as housing and clothing, among other incentives.

Q: Do troops get paid more when they're at war?

A: Service members in the Iraq region receive imminent danger pay of $150 per month; if they serve there for 30 or more days, they're eligible for additional hardship pay of $50 to $100 per month. Service members away from their families for more than 30 days abroad get a $100-a-month separation allowance. Members in certain combat zones - including nearly all the Middle East - are exempt from federal income taxes and, in most cases, state taxes.

Q: Is the Red Cross working in Iraq now?

A: The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has 10 foreign and 110 local staff in Iraq, and is working closely with its local equivalent, the Iraqi Red Crescent Society. The ICRC says it prepositioned supplies to treat 7,000 war-wounded in Iraq and to cover basic health needs of up to 180,000 people. It also has material to help 150,000 displaced persons and equipment to restore interrupted water supplies.

Q: What have Polish troops with the coalition been doing?

A: Poland approved the use of up to 200 troops in the Iraq campaign, including 56 members of its elite GROM commando unit. Polish authorities have revealed only that the troops have operated in Iraq's southern coastal region and the Persian Gulf, and that they include divers. In an address last week, President Bush said Polish troops had secured an Iraqi oil platform in the gulf.

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